Craig Hamilton - biography
Craig started his career as ABC radio’s 'Sideline eye' on weekend Rugby League broadcasts in 1994.
Since then he has been a member of the ABC team working on the past 14 Grand Finals, every State of Origin series and a number of Test Matches.
 Craig (right) and co-commentator Matt Rodwell at a Newcastle Knights match |
Craig was born and raised in the Hunter Valley town of Singleton and spent 16 years working as an underground coalminer in the Newcastle area before embarking on a radio career fulltime in 1999.
As a talented sportsman, Craig represented both the Newcastle and NSW Country cricket teams, with a career highlight being selected to play against the touring Sri Lankan side in 1990.
In the year 2000, on the eve of the Sydney Olympic Games where he had been assigned to work as a broadcaster, Craig experienced a psychotic episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
He spent 12 days in hospital and, since his recovery, has become an Ambassador for Beyond Blue, worked as an advocate for mental health issues, and has addressed many conferences, community forums, High School mental health sessions and lobbied Government representatives for increased funding to support people and their families who have experienced depressive illness.
In 2004 Random House released his highly acclaimed memoir "Broken Open" which gives a very personal account of living with Bipolar Disorder.
Craig is now a much sought after motivational speaker around Australia who tells what it's like to battle a serious illness. In sharing his story and experiences he offers hope to others. He lives in Newcastle with his wife and three children.
To read extracts from Broken Open, click here..
Craig is now a much sought after inspirational speaker who tells what it's like to battle a serious illness. In sharing his story and experiences he offers hope to others. He lives in Newcastle with his wife and three children.